2015: The Year of Taking Action

It’s the New Year! And I’m puking every time I open my inbox. Why? Because of all the emails I’m getting about how easy it is to supposedly get a “new me.” After 7 years of working to get better health, wealth and relationships I hate when people do this.

It might be simple to create a new you, but it’s hardly ever easy.

See, to create a new you, you must by definition change your behaviors. And that’s a struggle for most of us. While I can’t take away the work, I can show you how to reliably and repeatedly change your behavior this year.

This article reveals the process by which I’ve changed every part of my health.

Learning Isn’t What Society Says It Is

Most of us have been duped about learning. Let me explain…

As little as 4 years ago, I thought I was “learning” every time I read something new. But my life was still a mess. I wasn’t achieving any of my goals – but I was sure reading about them.

The new information I was gathering, reading and exploring wasn’t helping me because I wasn’t taking any new actions in my life. I used to love to tell anyone who would listen about theories and ideas I was reading about. I spoke like I understood. I had enthusiasm as if I’d done it or tried it.

But that was not the case.

And my life reflected that. I was still having the same major problems I thought I had the answer to.

And it was mostly because of the rabbits.

The Rabbit Chasing Cycle

Back when it was really bad for me, I wanted anything but the pain I had. But for some reason I wasn’t very good at getting rid of it.

I actually used to be stuck in what I call “The Cycle of Chasing Rabbits.”

It goes like this… I’d be all full of pain and the pain would drive me to search for new answers. I’d then come across some new information I’d never heard before – maybe a new doctor, new research paper or book. I’d dive in, reading, consuming, trying to understand it from every perspective.

And then I’d get excited, thinking about all the new possibilities. And then as I read more and more I’d get drained. And then do nothing.

I’d end up taking zero new actions in the end. And in a week I’d find a new rabbit!

For example… I read Jon Kabat Zinn’s book on meditation in 2010. I loved it and meditation was going to be my new big thing. I read more and more – became convinced that it could help many people, so I wrote and talked about it and meditated a total of 10 times that year.

My stress was still super high; my trust in life was low. I knew meditation would help with this but my behaviors stayed the same, so I kept searching for ways to reduce stress and started chasing new rabbits.

It wasn’t until my Vipassana meditation retreat in 2014, in which I took MASSIVE action (over 120 hours of meditation in 10 days), that I really understood it. I do it weekly now, some times a few days in a row. I’ve now escaped the rabbit cycle into implementing…

Which brings us to the paradox of our free knowledge world. We have more access to information than ever but people are sicker and sadder than ever.

Knowing What to Do Is Only Half the Battle

There’s a big reason why Americans are so sick. And it’s not because there’s some undiscovered treatment, drug or Holy Grail. It’s because taking action is becoming harder and harder in our lives of distraction. Distraction is the enemy.

It’s really that simple. New information plus new actions equals change. And change is what you want if you’re struggling with poor health and daily digestive pains.

Learning is behavior change. But to change behavior you have to avoid the distractions.

Let’s do a quick example.

There are 3 simple rules for building health. I bet you know (most adults and kids do) and yet it’s highly unlikely that you do them every day. In fact, I don’t even do them every day.

Eat more vegetables

Play or move every day

Get 8 hours of sleep

These are mind-blowiningly simple (not necessarily easy). And yet even I don’t manage to get them done 7 days a week.

The reason is distraction.

We Are More Distracted Than Ever

And because of that less and less new action is being taken, which is why Jordan and I have decided to make 2015 the year of taking action for ourselves, our company and for our community.

If we don’t start taking back our focused attention from things like…

TV Shows

Sports Programs

Smart Phones

Tablets

Computers

Social Media

The News

Movies

Video Games

These things consume our attention and willpower to a degree never seen in human history. If we are doing these actions on a regular basis how could we ever begin to think we could actually concentrate enough to take new actions on a daily basis, especially when that new action initially is painful, boring or isn’t pleasurable?

It just won’t happen.

Funny thing is… once you actually LEARN new habits they become pleasurable and fun. And soon two months later the old thingy becomes painful.

It’s powerful and I want you to experience it many times this year.

It’s now becoming more painful for me to not meditate than it is to do it. I have enough experiences to know that my days just work better when I do it. And so if I don’t do it, my brain reminds me all day long.

Neuroplasticity was a great breakthrough but what it teaches us about current patterns of behaviors is almost as important as the knowledge that we can change our brains.

The way we currently do things is the preferred way – the easy way. And if you are going to change you’ll need to break through this…

Which is why in 2015 we are going to be focusing on continuing to bring you great information about health, but also helping you to take massive action. And in the meantime, we plan to share more about psychology, distractions, neuroplasticity, willpower, goal achievement and using engineering principles to get stuff done!

What Do You Really Want in 2015?

And what are you willing to give up to get what you want? Because those are the questions I’d like you to focus on. Resolutions are destined to fail. Challenges run out at the end of 30 days.

So, what are you going to be doing then? Distracting yourself or making changes?

That’s why we’re not writing to you about a new challenge or resolution. Instead we are excited about helping you create the lasting change and tackle the big goals on your list this year. We’ve got your back all year long.

I believe you can do just about anything in 2015 using the formula above and I’m pumped up to help those who are ready!

Let’s start the action off right now. If you read this far, put in a comment below about what you want to change in 2015. Maybe you want to stop cheating on your diet, maybe you want to finally handle your diarrhea, maybe you want more energy or to turn off your autoimmune disease. Let me know below.

Is Your Body Secretly Suffering from a Leaky Gut?

Take this 3-minute quiz to find out if you have the #1 problem missed by modern medicine...
Take the Quiz NOW

(NOTE: The results of this quiz could save your life)

About the author

Steve Wright is a health engineer and author. In 2009, he reached a breaking point when IBS took over his life and the doctors didn't know how to help. Since then, he has transformed his health and started SCDLifestyle.com to help others naturally heal stomach problems. You can check out his story here and find him on Google+, Facebook or Twitter.

This article was spot on for where I am in life! I read SO much but what to do but never take action. I talk like I do but my actions don’t back it up. I am tired of not having a handle on my Crohn’s disease. I’m tired of not having the career and life I want. I NEED to take action! Thank you for this article.

I really want to find the diet that helps me turn down the fire of my autoimmune condition (in addition to the other things currently in my daily regimen. SCD wasn’t a great winner, so I am on month 2 of AIP Paleo and have been feeling pretty good. Both SCD and AIP are tough though, but I’m 100% committed.

So you have just reiterated a message I have been hearing for the past 3 months! “It is time to DO – no more talking and planning!”. I need to learn consistency in all areas. I know the good to do, I just fizzle out after awhile. I need to get rid of the excess in my life in 2015 – thoughts, possessions, weight and expectations.

I want to be able to let go of the hurt my sister-in-law continues to inflict on me with her nasty comments. Wish I could forget about my brother and sister-in-law but he’s my only brother, but he will never stick up for me.

So true, but here I am distracting my self on smartphone reading this article.
And even cutting out on most vegetables because it worsens my GERB.
So as you know it is not simple.
Oh almost forgot actions …. Fix gerb, fix dermatitis, less stress, lose weight.
In that order of importance.

New You Solutions – thanks for good article. Definitely right on with DISTRACTIONS. This year I am going to live simpler whether it is food, fitness, or entertainment. I am going to spend more time in prayer with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And have some extra fun with grandkids!

The content of our Website and any products sold from this Website is intended for informational purposes only and is not written by medical professionals. Readers should not act upon any information provided on this Website without seeking advice from a licensed physician. This Website is not intended to create a physician-patient relationship between us and any user of this Website.